SOUTH HAVEN, MI -- The Michigan Maritime Museum is welcoming two replicas of Christopher Columbus' ships over the Labor Day weekend.

The Nina and Pinta, sailing museums aimed at educating people about shipbuilding techniques and early European exploration, will be in South Haven Aug. 31-Sept. 4.

Nina, Pinta replica Columbus ships arrive in MuskegonThe ships are caravels, a type of Portuguese ship that early explorers used on expeditions. Columbus sailed the Nina across the Atlantic Ocean on voyages in his discovery of the new world. The Pinta was the first of Columbus' ships to sight land in 1492.

The Nina replica is the most historically accurate Christopher Columbus replica ship ever built, according to The Columbus Foundation, which owns both ships. The 65-foot ship was built completely by hand and without the use of power tools.

The 85-foot Pinta replica was completed in 2005 and launched from Brazil.

The two ships are currently making a stop in Muskegon, where they will be through Tuesday, Aug. 29.

In South Haven, visitors will be able to tour the ships at the Michigan Maritime Museum, 260 Dyckman Ave., from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Thursday, Aug. 31, through Monday, Sept. 4. There will be free off-site parking at LC Mohr High School, with a free shuttle available from Saturday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission will be $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and $10 for children, and it will get guests access to both ships, as well as all Michigan Maritime Museum exhibits.

The museum will be docking its own tall ship Friends Good Will at the South Haven south municipal marina over the long Labor Day weekend to accommodate the Nina and Pinta visit.